Non-nuclear states appeal for reinstatement of wording “Visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki” in draft of NPT document
May 22, 2015
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
NEW YORK--In response to the removal of wording which encourages world leaders to visit the A-bombed cities, Japanese government representatives made an appeal to restore this wording to the draft of the final document of the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). The appeal took place at a closed-door meeting of the Main Committee I (Disarmament) on May 13, diplomatic sources said, at United Nations headquarters in New York.
In the meeting, Australia, a member nation of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI, 12 members) led by Japan, along with non-member countries, raised the issue of reinstating the deleted text. On the same day, Japanese government delegates met with Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Fu Cong, who requested the deletion, to clarify Japan’s position.
China, however, is strongly opposed to the inclusion of this wording, and it is not clear whether the text will be restored during negotiations that run until May 22, the final day of the conference.
The early draft prepared on May 8 included a call for global political leaders and younger generations to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki and listen to the voices of atomic bomb survivors. The wording was removed from the revised document prepared on May 12.
(Originally published on May 15, 2015)
NEW YORK--In response to the removal of wording which encourages world leaders to visit the A-bombed cities, Japanese government representatives made an appeal to restore this wording to the draft of the final document of the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). The appeal took place at a closed-door meeting of the Main Committee I (Disarmament) on May 13, diplomatic sources said, at United Nations headquarters in New York.
In the meeting, Australia, a member nation of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI, 12 members) led by Japan, along with non-member countries, raised the issue of reinstating the deleted text. On the same day, Japanese government delegates met with Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Fu Cong, who requested the deletion, to clarify Japan’s position.
China, however, is strongly opposed to the inclusion of this wording, and it is not clear whether the text will be restored during negotiations that run until May 22, the final day of the conference.
The early draft prepared on May 8 included a call for global political leaders and younger generations to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki and listen to the voices of atomic bomb survivors. The wording was removed from the revised document prepared on May 12.
(Originally published on May 15, 2015)
